Stiffening tape or fabric



No. 6||,298. Patented Sept. 27, |898.

E. K. WARREN.4

STIFFENING TAPE 0R FABRIC.

(Application filed Mar. 31, 1897.)

(No Model.)

Witnesses. 0 Invent@ @www f Y ,4f W i m: mums PETERS co., Puoauwo.. wnsnmmoN. Dv cv UNTTED STATES FFICE@ PATENT STIFFENING TAPE OR FABRIC.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 611,298, dated September 2*?, 1898.

Application filed March 31, 1897.

T all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD K. WARREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the village of Three Oaks, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Stiffening Tape or Fabric, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in stiftening tapes or fabrics, and more especially to a composite stiifeningtape well adapted for use as a dress-stay.

The objects of this invention are to provide a very thin resilient composite tape, easy to attach, and of avery finished appearance, which is made up of stiffening fibers.

A further object is to provide an improved means of retaining these fibers firmly together to secure to the fullest extent their resilient property.

A still further object is to provide a composite stiffening-blade made up of stiff resilient fibers which shall present only a smooth surface to wear and which is economical of covering material without detriment to the same.

Further objects will appear definitely in the detailed description.

I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification,pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- A Figure l is a back View of a piece of my improved stiftening-tape, illustrating the full size thereof. Fig. 2 is anenlarged detail view of the same, showing the braiding and stiening fiber partially raveled out at one end. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the composite stiffening-cords entering into the structure'V of my improved tapeor fabric. Fig. 4 is a detail view of another composite stieningcord especially adapted for use in this connection where short fibers are used. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the stiffening-tape, showing the method of construction and attachment of the covering to the same.

In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawstiffenin g ber.

Serial No. 630,191. (No model.)

ings, A represents the composite cords of These cords are made up of fibers E,w0 und together by a wrapping-thread D in accordance with my invention for which I received Letters Patent No. 286,749 of the UnitedStates October 16, 1883. -The material preferably used is the quill liber of feathers, as there described. I am aware, however, that any suitable stiffening fiber or stiff hair or bristles can be utilized in the same way. Where short fibers are used or where very light cords are desired, a longitudinal thread F is embraced by the wrapping-thread D.

The blade or fabric is made up of a number of these stiffening-cords laid side by side and .then braided together beyond the edge and then turned back and forth across the strand, as in ordinary braid, forming a selvage B. These diagonal threads G engage the stiftening-strands A between the coils of the wrapping-thread D and hold the same securely. As these threads G are all on the diagonal, any, even the slightest, movement of them or the stiifening-cord A causes them to grasp the cord very securely, which makes the blade very firm yet pliable, and owing to the fact that only a small amount of the interlacing thread is required the full resiliency of the fiber is secured.

The selvage B affords a convenient means of securing the ribbon or other suitable covering (l to the sides of the same by suitable stitching H. This forms a stiffener for use as a dress-stay or other like purpose having a smooth and artistic finish on the exposed side that can be very easily applied in any well -known method of stitching or other means. I desire to state in this connection that the ribbon or covering can be omitted and that the stiffening-tape in this form is adapted to all uses of that which is covered, only it does not present so smooth a surface. In this case it is not so essential to extend the braiding-strands to form a selvage B at its edges.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a stiffening-tape the combination of longitudinal composite stiening strands made up of stiff fibers bound together by a wrapping-thread '5' diagonal threads or strands IOO braided together and over and under the alternate stiffening-strands and into a selvage on each edge thereof; a covering-ribbon secured by its edges to the edges of said tape by suitable stitching as specified.

2. In a stiffening-tape the combination of longitudinal composite stiffening strands made up of stiff fibers bound together by a Wrapping-thread; diagonal threads or strands braided together and over and under the alternate stiffening-strands and into a selvage on each edge thereof; as specified.

3. In a stifening fabric the combination of longitudinal composite stiffening strands made up of stiff fibers bound together by a Wrapping-thread; diagonal threads or strands braided together and over and under the alternate stiffening-strands as specified.

4. In a stidening fabric the combination of longitudinal composite stiffening strands made up of stiff fibers of quills of feathers bound together by a Wrapping-thread; diagonal threads or strands braided together and over and under the alternate stiffeningstrands as specied.

5. In a stiifening-tape the combination of longitudinal composite stiffening strands made up of stiff fibers bound together by a Wrapping-thread; diagonal threads or strands braided together and over and under the alternate stiifening-strands and into a selvage 011 each edge thereof; a covering-ribbon secured to one edge of said tape as specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD K. WARREN. [n s.]

Witnesses:

CHARLES K. WARREN, MARY A. DAVIDSON. 

